The King's Fund comments on public health budgets

Commenting on public health budgets, Sally Warren, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund said:

‘For yet another year, local public health leaders enter March without any sign of their budget for April. Such late confirmation of the public health grant raises serious questions about the priority this government places on the public’s health. These delays cause uncertainty for planning and delivering services, and are no way to run vital public services which protect and promote our health.

‘COVID-19 hit our country hard, in part due to the levels of underlying poor health. Lessons should be learnt from that experience, starting with coordinated, cross government effort to improve public health. The health of the population has economic consequences as well, such as through long term absence from work due to ill health. If ministers want to improve health, reduce pressure on the NHS, and boost economic growth, they should stop treating public health as a Cinderella service and confirm the budget for April immediately.’